This article was originally published Sept. 6, and updated Nov. 20, 2024...Do you own, lease or manage a rental unit?   Rhode Island law now requires property owners to register their rental properties with a newly created Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) public Rental Registry. The registry went live during the first week of September.  (Governor McKee filed legislation to postpone the law for a year, but it did not pass.)

All rental dwelling units must be registered by October 1, 2024 including units that were built before, during or after 1978. UPDATE: Landlords - file this affadavit with the court if you wise to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent but your lead inspection is not complete.

What types of rentals must be registered?  All rental dwelling units must be registered including units that were built before, during or after 1978.

Does this apply to short-term rentals?  Yes.  Short-term rentals must be registered with the Rental Registry. 

Must owner-occupied rental properties be registered?  Yes. 

How do I register?  Follow these instructions from RIDOH:  FAQs (ri.gov)

How often must I register?   According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, units must be registered as follows:

• Initial registration should be completed by October 1, 2024. 
• New property owners or landlords must register within 30 days of acquisition or leasing.
• Annual re-registration by October 1 to update or confirm existing information.

What information must be included? 

• Contact information for the landlord and the property manager, if any.
• A lead certificate for each unit or proof that an exemption applies.

Which units do not require a lead certificate?  

The following types of units are exempt:

• Rental units that were built on or after January 1, 1978;
• Rental units with a Full Lead-Safe Certificate from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH);
• Rental units with a current Conditional Lead-Safe Certificate from RIDOH;
• Rental units with a Certifications of Lead-Free Status from RIDOH;
• Temporary, seasonal housing rented to the same tenant for no more than 100 days in a calendar year, and;
• Housing specifically for residents aged 62 or older.

How do I obtain a lead certificate?  Find a RIDOH guide for rental property owners here: Lead Poisoning Information for Landlords: Department of Health (ri.gov)

Can a property manager register rental units for a client?   No.  According to RIDOH, only the landlord must file and the landlord’s address must match the information in the municipal Assessor’s Database in the town or city in which the rental unit is located.

What are the penalties if I don’t register by October 1, 2024?   

• Landlords cannot file an eviction action for non-payment of rent until the rental unit has been registered with RIDOH. All rental dwelling units must be registered including units that were built before, during or after 1978. UPDATE: Landlords - file this affadavit with the court if you wise to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent but your lead inspection is not complete.
• Landlords can be fined and face other penalties. See #9 for more details here: FAQs (ri.gov)

REALTORS®: For more information about the lead laws, please contact the RIAR Legal Department at 401-432-6945 or email [email protected].  If you are not a member of our association, please contact the Rhode Island Department of Health at  https://health.ri.gov/healthrisks/poisoning/lead/.